Belfast restaurants Eipic and OX have been awarded Michelin stars, it was announced today.

Eipic owner Michael Deane said he was overjoyed to get the recognition after being open for just 18 months, while OX tweeted that they were "absolutely delighted and very proud of team OX".

Speaking about the culinary gong, Deane said he is thrilled that his new venture has met with such early success.

He added: “It is an absolute joy to be awarded the much coveted Michelin star so soon after opening our doors.

“It’s no secret that my vision is for Eipic to be amongst the finest restaurant on these islands and it is a fantastic reward to know that we have been delivering to such high expectations right from the outset. Head chef Danni Barry and the team have worked hard to produce an exceptional experience at Deanes Eipic, taking diners on a culinary journey that will live on in their minds long after the meal is over and they are to be applauded for their efforts.

Michael Deane outside his Howard Street premises

“When we opened last year I wanted to bring the high-end market that has almost disappeared back to the city and I stated then that I would like to see three or four Michelin stars in Northern Ireland over the next few years. Now the city has two stars again we are undoubtedly on the up and I would like to offer my congratulations to the team at OX for their success as well.”

Eipic is the “most sophisticated” in the Deanes restaurant portfolio and is described as an “elegant, refined, innovative, modern and glamorous dining experience” next to Deanes flagship premises in Howard Street.

Head chef Danni Barry, who at just 29, returned to her native Northern Ireland from England to head up the kitchen at Eipic says receiving a Michelin star underlines how right her decision to come back home was.

She added: “There are some really exciting things happening in food in Belfast and I’m so thrilled to be a part of putting the city back on the Michelin map. I trained under Michael Deane whom I have long admired, before working in England for Michelin starred chef Simon Rogan, so I jumped at the

chance to head up the Eipic kitchen. I love doing what I do and the Michelin star is a fantastic homecoming gift.”

Danni says she cooks locally sourced seasonal produce, creating dishes that are “precise, balanced, wholesome and full of flavour” for diners from Wednesday to Saturday.